Legendary U.S. actor Bill Murray has delighted his Irish fans after being pictured on the first day of the JP McManus Pro-Am – as the competition returned for the first time in 12 years.
The star-studded event is taking place over two days at the 2027 Ryder Cup venue, Adare Manor in county Limerick, featuring other big names, with ten out of 11 of the world’s top golfers in attendance. Murray’s appearance at the prestigious event comes after he was pictured supporting Limerick at Croke Park yesterday.
Both professional career golfers and amateurs compete in the charity fundraiser which was first launched in 1990 at Limerick Golf Club, moving to Adare Manor in 2005. The glitzy event aims to raise funds for various charities in the Midwest of Ireland, and took place every five years up until Covid struck. The tournament had been postponed for the past two years due to Covid-related restrictions, meaning this week’s event is the first to take place since 2010.
As a result of two days of all-star golf in 2010, over €31m was raised for 56 charities in the mid-west region. When the legendary event returned in 2005, it went beyond all expectations, with 40,000 visitors attending the championship course at Adare Manor on both days, subsequently raising over €43.7m. Darren Clarke was crowned winner that year, while those in attendance went home with fantastic memories from the one-of-a-kind event held on Irish soil.
Over the weekend, Tiger Woods confirmed he would make his fourth appearance at the tournament, while world number one, Scott Scheffler, is also competing alongside Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas. Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, so spectators are in for a treat.
Other well-known faces taking part alongside Murray include Niall Horan and Jamie Dornan who were pictured chatting and laughing on the course with Murray earlier.
“Legendary actors like Bill Murray coming across to play in this, again it shows how loving and great JP has been to everyone… It just adds that different level of star power to it and brings the crowds out,” Horan said.
He added: JP has done so much for Ireland and the local area here in Limerick, looking after hospitals and hospices for years and years and years… If we can add more to that big total that he’s got going at the moment, we’ll try our best.”
Fantastic morning so far! Great to see some familiar faces take to the course ⛳️#JPProAm2022 pic.twitter.com/EFQHYG8gAB
— JP McManus Pro-Am (@JPProAm) July 4, 2022
In June, Murray was filmed singing and entertaining revellers at an Irish pub in Limerick, with the owner of the pub telling The Irish News that he stayed for over two hours. A clip of the Holywood actor singing ‘The Star of the County Down’ quickly went viral on social media. Murray was also among crowds who turned up to watch Limerick defeat Galway in the All Ireland Hurling semi-final on Sunday.
The 71-year old, who was kitted out in a Limerick jersey, was filmed on the big screen at the game yesterday – and his appearance ignited excitement from the crowd, who roared and cheered when he popped up on the screen. He attended the game alongside Limerick businessman and racehorse owner JP McManus and Australian golfer Adam Scott, who was also supporting the triumphant side.
🎶If there's something strange in your neighborhood
Who you gonna call…👻 pic.twitter.com/6f1GDr61zS— TG4 (@TG4TV) July 3, 2022